Looking Back Over Platform81’s 10th Year

We’ve had an amazing and eventful 10th year in business and we’d like to take this moment to thank all of our staff, clients, partners, and friends for making 2018 a truly eventful year.

We celebrated our 10th year by taking part in 10 unique good deeds. From raising money for charity, to giving back to the local community, the Platform81 team have had a year to be proud of. Join us in looking back over the past year’s activities below.

1. Kidscan Website

In January 2018, Salford-based children’s cancer research charity, Kidscan came to us looking to improve upon their existing website. They felt their current website had served its purpose but it didn’t reflect the great work the charity was doing. Our objective was to deliver a solution that showcased the charity and encouraged others to get involved through volunteering/fundraising. Our designers and developers focused on creating an easy-to-navigate website with an approachable and fun tone to reflect the fact that children are the focal point of the charity. Read more about our work on the Kidscan website here.

2. Charlotte’s Blog

Continuing our work with Kidscan, we supported patient ambassador Charlotte Jennings in her fundraising challenge by developing a personalised blog platform just for her. With just three weeks until Charlotte’s ‘Sweet 16th Charity Night’ we thought her birthday would be the perfect time to unveil the blog where she would be able to document he fundraising activities for Kidscan UK and Manchester Children’s Hospital Cancer Ward. You can learn more about our work on Charlotte’s blog and find a link to it here.

3. Sponsored Skydive

We took fundraising to new heights (pun intended) this year by skydiving some 15,000ft to raise money for Kidscan. Our Head of Social Media, Amanda Childs, explained that once she was in the air she was just so excited that her nerves went out the window! The Platform81 team displayed nerves of steel and raised over £2,000 for the charity. You can read all about out skydive experience here.

4. Working with Juice Academy

Next up, we visited the Juice Academy bootcamp to hunt for our next Platform81 team member. The Platform81 Managing Directors were keen to get involved with the apprenticeship scheme as they felt the current Digital Marketing Team had the expertise to really make a difference in an apprentice’s career. In July 2018 we welcomed the talented Jenny Byrne to our team. Jenny has already made incredible strides in her career, showcasing fantastic creativity and a thirst for knowledge. Read all about her experience with The Juice Academy here.

5. World Cup Sweepstakes

Summer 2018 will always be remembered for the World Cup fever that stuck the nation. Featuring fabulous prizes donated by our very generous clients and friends, we thought we’d take this an an opportunity to raise money for charity with our very own World Cup Sweepstakes!

6. Great British Bacon Butty Giveaway

As the summer sun faded and the autumn chill settled in, we decided it was time to get hands-on in helping the local community. In September 2018, Platform81 partnered with local charity, Stockport Loaves and Fishes, to feed the homeless in our Great British Bacon Butty Giveaway. We gave away over 70 bacon butties on the first day alone and took the opportunity to get to know the local homeless community that frequented Stockport Loaves and Fishes’ drop-in centre each day.

7. CEO Sleepout

Our CEO’s swapped their suits for sleeping bags this October and took part in the CEO Sleepout to help fight homelessness and poverty in the UK. Our Directors slept completely unsheltered, amongst their industry peers at Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Club. We caught up with our Managing Director, Nick Wroe to learn all about his experience of the CEO Sleepout here.

8. Just Helping

We connected with volunteer led charity, Just Helping, at the Stockport Business Breakfast Club and when we found out they were organising a charity Christmas tree collection in and around Stockport to raise money for local hospices and charities, we just had to get involved! Platform81 offered digital support throughout the campaign, including social media management and blog content. In addition we donated towards a paid advertising campaign to really help raise awareness of the charity.

9. Blood Donation

Did you know that the NHS needs over 6,000 blood donations every day to treat patients in need across England? When we learnt this shocking stat, the Platform81 team were quick to volunteer to take part in the next local blood drive, each donating just under a pint of blood.

10. Christmas Raffle

What better way to end our 10th year in business than with one final, Christmas themed, charity fundraising raffle? When we got in touch with several local businesses and explained that we were raising money for local charities this Christmas, they were more than happy to oblige with some amazing prizes. Then, over the course of December, we held a 12 Days of Christmas raffle, giving away 12 unique prizes such as family gym memberships, Stockport County F.C. tickets, and even a free M.O.T!

It’s been a fantastic 10th year for Platform81 and we feel fantastic about all the wonderful work our team put into completing our 10 good deeds. So much so that we’re keen to continue giving back to the community in 2019!